The best way to sum up the LIVESTRONG ride was that it was life changing. To see 6500 participants all in the same location, all for the same purpose, was just amazing. Those 6500 participants raised 3.2 million dollars...yes...3.2 million dollars for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the fight against cancer. Those numbers are staggering!
I was extremely pleased to be a part of the event, from the time I decided to take on the challenge back in February to rolling across the finish line on Sunday August 23rd after riding 100 miles on my bike...the entire experience was very fulfilling!
I raised $3876!! I am very pleased with that number. There were a few donations made to the LAF that were not made in my name, but were made due to my efforts...so we topped $4000...just not on the official website. For that I say THANK YOU to each and every person that helped out...we made a difference!
Speaking of making a difference...I had such an amazing experience throughout this process that I'm not going to stop...nope...not done yet. I have decided to see if I can take this a step further by creating a team to see if we can get a bunch of people to join in the fight. People tell me I have a magnetic personality and that others are drawn to me because of my positive energy. I will admit that I'm an optimistic guy. Let's see if I can use that quality to make even more of a difference.
From here on out I will refer you here:
www.baldcyclist.com
That's my new website/blog. With the help of a great friend (Ron) the site is already up and running. The idea was spawned, and literally less than a week later, bald cyclist was officially online. Ron is no slouch himself...he and his wife (Kelly) hiked the entire Appalachian Trail...and she runs marathons and raises money for the fight against cancer. Good people are abound...and that's what it takes to make something like this successful. If you're reading this...my hope is that you will continue to fight, and if you're not currently engaged, you'll join the fight with us...
www.baldcyclist.com
Using our noggins...to battle cancer!
Peace!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Forget me not.
I haven't forgotten about my blog...just haven't had the time to do my recent experience justice in the form of written material just yet. I have lots to say...lots to share...soon...very soon...with some really exciting news as well...
Stay tuned!
Peace!
Stay tuned!
Peace!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Exceeding expectations!
That's what we did...we managed to get $3801 in donations! Word on the street is that there are still a few straggling donations coming in...so we might flirt with the $4,000 mark. Either way, we did it, we exceeded our goal...to that I say...HECK YEAH!!!
Thank you to everyone for helping out! Without everyone working hard to donate we wouldn't have done it. My sincerest of thanks go out to everyone that made this possible! :-)
Now, on to the business at hand...preparing for a 100 mile bike ride. As I type this our little carbon fiber beast is getting fitted with new rubber. Apparently I rode so many training miles that she was in need...badly in need. My buddy Grant is hooking me up with some sweet tires over at The Bicycle Shop in State College. Once I pick her up, we'll give her a thorough cleaning, lube up the necessary parts, take her for an hour shake down ride tomorrow morning, and then tuck her away safely until Sunday morning...when together we will unleash the furry on 100 miles of Philadelphia's finest tarmac.
100 miles...4300 feet of climbing...a goal of under 6 hours...a daunting task for a weekend warrior like myself. Not to worry though...we've got some extra power coming along for the ride! We've got the spirits of those who have lost the battle with cancer, the hearts of those fighting right now, and the belief and will of those that have seen what cancer can do first hand. I'm one of those people. I've seen what cancer does to people...it's not pretty. That's why we fight...one thought at a time...one prayer at time...one donation at a time...and that's why we'll fight on Sunday...one mile at a time! I will do my damnest to break the 6 hour mark...not because I win any awards...nope...no trophies...no checks...nothing like that...it's about showing cancer how hard we can fight...and that we'll win this war...one battle at a time! On Sunday morning I will wake up and say to cancer...BRING IT...because today we've got something for you!!
Thanks again to everyone that helped out!
For up to date progress on the ride...check out my twitter updates. don_page10 is my twitter handle. I might even throw a few updates out from the saddle. :-)
Peace!
Thank you to everyone for helping out! Without everyone working hard to donate we wouldn't have done it. My sincerest of thanks go out to everyone that made this possible! :-)
Now, on to the business at hand...preparing for a 100 mile bike ride. As I type this our little carbon fiber beast is getting fitted with new rubber. Apparently I rode so many training miles that she was in need...badly in need. My buddy Grant is hooking me up with some sweet tires over at The Bicycle Shop in State College. Once I pick her up, we'll give her a thorough cleaning, lube up the necessary parts, take her for an hour shake down ride tomorrow morning, and then tuck her away safely until Sunday morning...when together we will unleash the furry on 100 miles of Philadelphia's finest tarmac.
100 miles...4300 feet of climbing...a goal of under 6 hours...a daunting task for a weekend warrior like myself. Not to worry though...we've got some extra power coming along for the ride! We've got the spirits of those who have lost the battle with cancer, the hearts of those fighting right now, and the belief and will of those that have seen what cancer can do first hand. I'm one of those people. I've seen what cancer does to people...it's not pretty. That's why we fight...one thought at a time...one prayer at time...one donation at a time...and that's why we'll fight on Sunday...one mile at a time! I will do my damnest to break the 6 hour mark...not because I win any awards...nope...no trophies...no checks...nothing like that...it's about showing cancer how hard we can fight...and that we'll win this war...one battle at a time! On Sunday morning I will wake up and say to cancer...BRING IT...because today we've got something for you!!
Thanks again to everyone that helped out!
For up to date progress on the ride...check out my twitter updates. don_page10 is my twitter handle. I might even throw a few updates out from the saddle. :-)
Peace!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
$3001.
Well, we did it...we topped $3000! That's a huge accomplishment given the state of our economy. There are two days left for money to roll in. I have heard of a few checks that are on the way...we'll see where we end up. All in all, I'm happy...that $3001 represents a lot for the folks affected by cancer. Thanks to all who have helped out!! :-)
As for my training...I'm all but done. I have two one hour easy spins for this week to prepare for the big day on Sunday. I will likely do those rides on Wednesday and Friday...then rest, fuel, and final prep on the bike.
I'm hoping me and my fifteen pound carbon fiber friend can break the six hour barrier. That's a tall order. We'll see how it goes. :-)
Peace!
As for my training...I'm all but done. I have two one hour easy spins for this week to prepare for the big day on Sunday. I will likely do those rides on Wednesday and Friday...then rest, fuel, and final prep on the bike.
I'm hoping me and my fifteen pound carbon fiber friend can break the six hour barrier. That's a tall order. We'll see how it goes. :-)
Peace!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Step it up kid.
So, I was sitting here checking out the blog the other day and realized it's been lacking a bit lately. I thought, it's time to step it up a bit, especially since there's only two weeks until the LIVESTRONG Challenge ride in Philly. Actually, there's only 12 days until the ride!
100 miles...4300 feet of climbing...all in honor and memory of those affected by cancer.
We've raised $2676 to date...with some promises still outstanding...I'm hopeful we can reach $3000 in the last 12 days. When this all started I set a fundraising goal of $10k...a pretty lofty goal. I'm an optimistic guy...hence the high number. Once I got going on this and realized how hard it is to solicit money from people, I backed my goal down to a realistic number, $3750. We will likely not hit that number, but it's ok...because before I decided to do this there was no number...no money raised...no awareness being spread...no LIVESTRONG message living at the forefront of my mind...no thinking about how I could share this message with others...no trying to live a healthier life...no purpose beyond myself and my daily life activities...no realization that cancer will become the leading cause of death very soon...none of it...none of it existed. So we could look at the $2676 and say, man, that's pretty sad considering the original goal...or we could look at that number and what it truly represents. It represents much more than dollar signs...it represents people that have been inspired by the LIVESTRONG message...that will in turn spread that message...it represents help for those affected by cancer...money for research to help find a cure...or at least slow it down until that can be achieved...technological support in the way of websites and people only a phone call away for those afraid to venture out of their houses...and communities to come to together to share their experiences and offer support to those that are being affected. It represents a lot.
So, when this is done and the final number is posted...let's remember what that number represents...and keep the LIVESTRONG message going strong into the future. We can win this war...we WILL win this war...it's only a matter of time. :-)
Thank you for your support!
Peace!
100 miles...4300 feet of climbing...all in honor and memory of those affected by cancer.
We've raised $2676 to date...with some promises still outstanding...I'm hopeful we can reach $3000 in the last 12 days. When this all started I set a fundraising goal of $10k...a pretty lofty goal. I'm an optimistic guy...hence the high number. Once I got going on this and realized how hard it is to solicit money from people, I backed my goal down to a realistic number, $3750. We will likely not hit that number, but it's ok...because before I decided to do this there was no number...no money raised...no awareness being spread...no LIVESTRONG message living at the forefront of my mind...no thinking about how I could share this message with others...no trying to live a healthier life...no purpose beyond myself and my daily life activities...no realization that cancer will become the leading cause of death very soon...none of it...none of it existed. So we could look at the $2676 and say, man, that's pretty sad considering the original goal...or we could look at that number and what it truly represents. It represents much more than dollar signs...it represents people that have been inspired by the LIVESTRONG message...that will in turn spread that message...it represents help for those affected by cancer...money for research to help find a cure...or at least slow it down until that can be achieved...technological support in the way of websites and people only a phone call away for those afraid to venture out of their houses...and communities to come to together to share their experiences and offer support to those that are being affected. It represents a lot.
So, when this is done and the final number is posted...let's remember what that number represents...and keep the LIVESTRONG message going strong into the future. We can win this war...we WILL win this war...it's only a matter of time. :-)
Thank you for your support!
Peace!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Good day!
55 miles logged...
$375 donated...
That's a good day if you ask me!
Current total...$2576!!
Still over two weeks left...and promises of more donations...let's hope everyone follows through...if so...we might top $3000!
Good stuff! :-)
Peace!
$375 donated...
That's a good day if you ask me!
Current total...$2576!!
Still over two weeks left...and promises of more donations...let's hope everyone follows through...if so...we might top $3000!
Good stuff! :-)
Peace!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
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